Petit Courrier des Dames, 15 février 1827, No. 449 : Robe de satin garnie d'un bouffant de satin... 1827

This fashion plate, "Petit Courrier des Dames," was printed in 1827, and its anonymous creator skillfully used etching to depict the textures and forms of high fashion. The composition hinges on a contrast between the seated figure viewed from the back, and a standing figure displayed frontally. This juxtaposition immediately establishes a dialogue between concealment and display, pivotal in understanding the semiotics of fashion. The color palette is delicate, dominated by pastel pinks and blues, yet the artist introduces a complex structural element through the intricate details of lace, pleats, and feathered headwear. These ornamental additions aren't merely decorative; they serve as signifiers of status and identity, adhering to and diverging from societal codes. The artist uses line and form to articulate the dual role of fashion, as a means of both conforming to and expressing individual identity within the societal structure. The precise rendering highlights fashion's power to negotiate meaning, reflecting contemporary philosophical concerns with self-presentation and social categorization.